Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-03-13
find their martial enthusiasm again Il
their country were invaded.
Scottish CIannishness
fsoottieh American.I

rs correctness. indeed, national de-
rects. and even vices, sometimes receive
,be r, wards of virtue, as in the case ola
Highland soldier who. while on foreign
sorvice, got drunk by psrtaling too free
II ola fiery spirit-an offence for which
he was brought before the command
ng officer. When the officer, n coun-
tryman of his. rated him. soundly and
ctked him why he had taken the nasty
stuf, be excused himself on the ground
that II reminded him of Scotch whiskey
and home. "Ab, am glad there are
xtenuating circumstances, said the
other, dismiSsing his custodians so that
he might quietly give him a glass of
Le genuine article. An amusing in
stance of clannishness was shown in
{ ondOn some years ago. A mer-
chant named Campbell advertised
for an "actiye, intelligent man as
light porter" Before he had opened
his doors to the public one morning
twenty or thirty applicants stood before
the officer, and among them an un-
usually small Highlander, who set the
rest into fits of laughter by inquiring:
"Hes she got her porter" The idea
Of his coming forward as an active, in
telligent man tickled their fancies be-
yond measure. They ridiculed him
mercilessly, until at last the mer-
chant opened his door and stood be-
vildered at having so many 10 choose
rom. But the little Highlander
fimplifed matters by rushing forward
eagerly, exclaiming: "Mr. CANNED,
Mn. CANNED, if it's n hcht porter We
will want, | am Hchtcr nor any OF
them" The merchant gave a hearty
laugh, as did the others, addressed
few words in Gaelic to the applicant,
told him TO come in. while the rest he
turned away.
The clannishness OF Scotsmen shows
itself in various ways, but in nothing
more clearly than the purely local asso-
ciations which they establish in all large
commercial centres. Among company
in New York, where several nationali-
ties were represented. a dispute once
arose as to what nation produced the
best soldiers. One man, in very
arrogant manner, claimed the palm
for Britain. "But you are not
disinterested party" said some
body "you are an Englishman,
are you not?" ono" "a Scotch
nan, then?" "No; / come from
Ross.shire." This story gives
true idea of the typical Scots way of
looking at things. As British patriot
be is good; as a Scotch patriot. better;
but as a county patriot, best. Thus it
comes that natives of the same county,
or two or more adjoining counties,
form themselves into an association in
each of the large towns, both of
Scotland and England. They pay
small subscription, meet at
stated intervals, cultivate friend
ship among themselves, and stretch a
helping hand to any deserving person
from that part of the county which
those associations represent. Sup
posing young fellow, hailing from
John o. Groats, for instance, decides
upon leaving home and goes to Lon
don, where be finds that he has acted
imprudently 10y taking the risk without
having q situation in view, the first
thing he does is to put himself in COM
munication with the secretary or presi-
dent Of the London Caithness Asso-
citation. Presumably he has no friends
to advise or to help him in any way,
but his appeal to his countrymen, or,
properly speaking, countymen, is
never i'll vain. The representatives of
the Association whom he has has fer
reted ont lays his case before the mem
bors, states his capabilities and the
kind of employment that he would be
likely to suit, If he has no trade, so
that all at once he has a score of
friends or more exerting their utmost
endeavors to put him in the way
of doing something. They are likely
enough TO succeed-tradesmen who sre
members, sometimes make an opening
until such time as he may find another
plsce-and should they fail at first no.
thing will be left undone that, under
the circumstances, could be attempted
If he has money and wishes to go fur
ther, the Association can generally give
him letters of recommendation to some
bcdy in almost any quarter of the globe.
Perhaps he has no money nor incllna-
ton for adventure in foreign lands,
and, therefore, remainsin London, wait
ing for something that never turns up,
untilhe hasspent his last farthing. Then,
when nothing else can be done, the As
ISOLATION pays his fare home, saving
him the ignominy of having to fall
back ON parish assistance. In cases of
temporary need some of the associa-
tons relieve persons, natives OF their
respective districts, and without de-
grading them to the same extent as pa
rochial relief would, because the do
noTs are felt to be friends. Other as
sociations encourage education sat
home" by offering prizes to be COM
peted for in the schools of their par
ticular counties.
A prominent feature Of nearly every
one of these Associations is its "An-
nual Festival" The beverage on this
festive occasion may be nothingstronger
than tea, though one might scarcely be-
lieve it, Judging from the spirit which
usually animates the proceedings. As
to what constitutes feast, that is all a
matter of taste. London, which can
beast of so many Injuries, has its
" Tatie and Herring Club, " the men,
hers Of which meet occasionally
to feast on salt herrings and
boiled potatoes ! The worthy peo-
pie who enjoy these dainties UNI
doubtedly do so in virtue of their early
training. The feast has at least one
recommendation-it is cheap, and in q
institution this is considera-
ton. Whether poor or rich, all the
people from the same place are expect
ed to meet together at their annual fes-
tiyal, which is generally held about the
of the New Year. AS rule
it is not an affair of costly dishes, but
simply friendly gathering, where one
may rely on meeting old acquaintance
and on making new ones. Everybody
is sure to pass pleasant evening, and
while old folks evince a decided prefe-
renee for discussing old times and the |
scenes of their childhood, the young |
folks undoubtedly find their liveliest
interest in the present, which is per-
haps only natural. Pleasant, according |
10 their nature, as the various kinds OF |
may be, there must be an
interval for speech-making. And il